I love anything with magic or gods, which got me to the theaters for Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters. I was not disappointed. It’s silly and melodramatic, but entertaining – especially its quirkily modernized Greek mythology. If you’re a fan of the genre and want a couple hours of fun, check it out.

To be honest, the reason I haven’t seen The Breakfast Club was probably because of the plot. Watching a movie about five high school students surviving a Saturday detention didn’t really sound that appealing to me. I mean — I have had my fair share of detentions, so why would I want to watch a whole movie about one? It just wasn’t a movie I was excited to experience. But I sat back, made sure I had enough paper for doodling and prepared myself for a 9 hour Saturday detention!

Now first of all, the movie is not 9 hours. It’s actually only around 97 minutes, so don’t let that scare you away. The film is follows the classic stereotypes of students that inhabited every high school in 1985, the year in which the movie was made. The group consists of a brain (Anthony Michael Hall), an athlete (Emilio Esteves), a basket case (Ally Sheedy), a princess (Molly Ringwald), and a criminal (Judd Nelson). These characters appear to have nothing in common except the fact that they have to waste their Saturday in school.

When drug smuggler Julian’s brother is killed, he is forced to find and kill whoever is responsible on orders of his villainous mother. Set in a seedy neon-filled Bangkok, this story of revenge plays out much like a horrific nightmare filled with gore and intense cinematography that makes the film a delight for the senses. Grade B.

It was 1952 – the closing of the Truman administration – when Eugene Allen first got a job at the White House. Over the next three decades, he would see seven more presidents in office including Eisenhower, Kennedy, LBJ, Nixon, and Reagan.

Lee Daniels’ The Butler was inspired by Allen’s life. The film tells the story of Cecil Gaines, a longtime White House butler who, like Allen, was gifted one of JFK’s ties by Jackie Kennedy, invited to a state dinner by Nancy Reagan, and witnessed the height of the Civil Rights Movement from the corner of the Oval Office. In the film, Cecil Gaines’ experiences are juxtaposed with those of his son, Louis, who sees the Movement from quite a different perspective.

As Cecil marches, white gloved, through the White House hallways, Louis joins the Civil Right Movement, first staging sit-ins in Southern diners and eventually joining the Black Panther Party. The father and son’s conflicting political views cause immeasurable tension in the family, though they both hope fervently for a better future.

From the acclaimed director of Precious, Lee Daniels’ The Butler opens August 16 and stars Forrest Whittaker, Oprah Winfrey, Cuba Gooding Jr., David Oyelowo, Lenny Kravitz, Yaya Alafia, and an ensemble of Hollywood’s most talents actors. Last week, I had the opportunity to speak with some of the creative minds behind the film. At the swanky Rittenhouse Hotel, I spoke with director Lee Daniels and Oscar-Winner Cuba Gooding Jr.

In Elysium, director Neill Blomkamp continues to explore social issues similar to his previous film District 9. With eye-catching visuals, a good central performance by Matt Damon, and an even more scene stealing turn by Sharlto Copley, Elysium delivers on most fronts. Ultimately though, its message of class struggle becomes too preachy and it never quite reaches the same level of quality as District 9.

I know what your thinking, Robocop is an amazing film; how could he even think about putting it under So Bad Its Good? Well before you decide to take me out and execute me like Peter Weller in the opening of Robocop, let me explain. Robocop is one of my favorite movies of all time, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a bad film. This movie is so bad, that it becomes better then most “good” movies.

Robocop is set in a futuristic Detroit, which is filled with crime and violence (So basically Modern Day Detroit). The film follows a new cop named Murphy, played by Peter Weller, who gets brutally killed by a group of gangsters on his first day on the job (Don’t you just hate Mondays). After Murphy is obliterated, an evil corporation, OCP, takes his remains and makes the ultimate crime fighter, Robocop. Part robot, part man- all cop/ crazy gun-wielding robot on a mission of revenge.

With the Fourth of July on the horizon, I felt that this was a perfect time to finally see a movie I have heard so much about. To be honest, I am not sure why this movie has escaped me for so long. I remember it growing up, but I guess I never really had the opportunity to watch it. I simply can’t think of a better way to celebrate America’s independence other than watching a movie about earth’s independence — from aliens.

Independence Day follows three characters on their mission to save Earth and civilization from being wiped out by extraterrestrials. The film follows President Thomas J. Whitmore (Bill Pullman), fighter pilot Captain Steve Hiller (Will Smith), and scientist David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum) as they do their part in stopping the invasion. All of these storylines seem independent through the film, but end up connecting in a huge way.

I have always considered myself as a Dude; I go bowling, eat Cheetos, and have seen every episode of [i]Breaking Bad[/i]-twice. But that title was seriously questioned in the office when it was discovered that I have not seen the holy grail of dude movies, the Dude Bible, The Death Star of Dudeness: The Big Lebowski. With my Dude identity on the line, I finally sat down to watch the film; and my life will never be the same.

Last month, Philadelphia Film Society members were treated to a sneak peek at the new indie coming of age movie, The Kings of Summer, which was attended by the films three stars Nick Robinson, Gabriel Basso, and Moises Arias. Then, as part of the Awesome Fest, which really kicks into gear next month, citizens of Philadelphia had yet another chance to see this awesome tale reminiscent of classics such as Stand by Me, The Sandlot, and The Goonies before it was released to the public. But for those of you who missed out on it both times, it’s playing for all to see at the Ritz Five right now.

Among iconic, memorable film moments, a baby alien bursting from John Hurt’s chest is close to the top of the list. And yet, yesterday morning, I hadn’t seen anything before or after that scene. Why would someone do that to such an acclaimed British actor? I would wonder. Did they put it in his food? Does that make him a father? Mazel tov, John Hurt! Last night, I decided the ignorance had to stop. As a film buff, I had to watch this classic sci-fi that has garnered so many fans and remakes. And as a feminist, I had to see Ellen Ripley in action.